Moisture Barrier For Concrete Basement Floors

Vapor barriers are used because while fresh concrete is poured wet it s not supposed to stay that way.

Moisture barrier for concrete basement floors.

Here s an overview of the vapor barrier along with its benefits and drawbacks including important facts that you should know about it as it pertains to basements. A concrete floor seems like the perfect base for a vinyl floor installation. For a dry mold free finished basement floor always install a vapor barrier before laying a wood subfloor or carpet pad. Also install a good bath fan and use it when showering.

A concrete vapor barrier is any material that prevents moisture from entering a concrete slab. 15 mil vapor barrier by americover. Learn what a vapor barrier is and discover whether it is really necessary in a basement or if it is just an added seal with no use. Older houses that haven t had drain tiles installed are especially prone to seeping walls and floors in basements.

Any kind of persistent moisture will allow mold to get a foothold and soon ruin carpet or wood flooring. It helps reduce mold and condensation in buildings. Ft 24 hours in 82 days with a vapor barrier compared to 144 days when exposed to vapor from below. The majority of commercial and industrial buildings are constructed with a concrete substrate laid over prepared soil called slab on grade.

Once this happens the flooring can buckle or warp and cause havoc. Americover has a high performance 15 mil vapor barrier for installation under concrete floors and slabs that will retard moisture migration and radon from escaping through the surface of the concrete floor. Aci 302 2r 06 guide for concrete floors that receive moisture sensitive flooring materials estimates that concrete with a w c of 0 5 will dry to an mver of 3 pounds 1000 sq. How to install vapor barrier on.

Since concrete is porous water vapors transmits from the ground through the concrete slab into your basement. Floor covering manufacturers whether producers of tile wood carpet or high performance floor coatings publish the maximum allowable moisture content of the concrete over which their flooring products can be installed based on results of various astm. If you ve ever had a problem with a basement floor or any concrete floor you. A concrete floor with a too high moisture content can wreak havoc on a vinyl floor.

It needs to dry and then stay dry to avoid flooring problems. A moisture barrier may or may not be needed to insure good adhesion of your vinyl floor so do your homework to avoid problems later on down the road. Concrete and concrete block are common but porous foundation materials. Once the water vapors gather underneath your flooring it will start to pool up and soak into your hardwood flooring.

I would also recommend an airtight air vapor barrier on the bathroom ceiling to keep any moisture out of the floor system above. See what goes into waterproofing a basement too.